Yoga with a goat on top, seriously

That’s what you can experience next month at Australia’s largest cool-climate garden, Mayfield, in Oberon.

Yogis and wellness enthusiasts can interact with a few kids from the Oberon neighbourhood when baby farm goats join the yoga retreat from September 15-17.

Spokeswoman Michelle Grima said: “Animals are known to have so many health benefits for humans, so the mix of goats and yoga seemed to fit”.

“Goats are a known therapy animal and it has been proven associating with animals increases longevity, provides a healthier heart, and may combat diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

“The combination of yoga to connect the mind, body and soul in the middle of nature at Mayfield with a goat, is simply fun and different.”

Also on offer is a mad hatter’s party and the National Cool Climate Wine and Food Festival. The series of bespoke events across the 160-acre garden playground, include the meditation and mindfulness retreat with organic food sourced from the surrounding Mayfield farm.

The exclusive weekend of Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness with Jan Green, includes accommodation, access to the magnificent private garden and a menu with ingredients directly from the garden. The event costs $175 per person for the yoga for the weekend, and bunk stay onsite is $395 for two nights.

The official Spring Festival is being held from October 14-29, when the entire garden is open for exploration including the challenging hedge maze, the romantic bluestone chapel, the new gallery, rowing on Mayfield Lake, the Walled Kitchen Garden, croquet, and the famous palatial chook houses, against a backdrop of live entertainment.

On October 21, Mayfield will stage the international National Cool Climate Wine and Food Festival at this world class venue with special guest, winemaking legend, Tim Knappstein of Riposte.

The festival will also showcase the best of local cuisine from regional masters of their craft, wine tutorials, cooking demonstrations, entertainment and a fashions in the garden competition. The major event will follow the National Cool Climate Wine Show judging at Bathurst Showground.

The Mad Hatter’s Party, with roaming extravagant performances by Cirkus Surreal, will be on September 10. Then on November 18, there will be an afternoon of contemporary and classic fusion music with the Mitchel Conservatorium in the natural Mayfield amphitheatre.

Mayfield is open 363 days a year and has evolved beyond a magnificent European-inspired garden to an immersive and interactive destination of entertainment, food, wine and events.

Food is a major theme at the property. The Mayfield Cafe and Produce Store provides a menu where 80 per cent of the ingredients are grown on site. Mayfield also hosts weddings, corporate retreats and private events.